Capturing the Fiber Connect 2026 show pulse
This is a compilation of news and trends from the Fiber Connect 2026 trade show, held May 18-20 in Orlando.
Perspectives from Fiber Connect 2026’s show floor
In this section of our Fiber Connect 2026 coverage page, we've collected key quotes and insights from around the trade show floor.
“We are no longer in an information economy; we are entering a thinking economy.”—Gary Bolton, CEO, Fiber Broadband Association
“I would love it if states would adopt a one-touch, make-ready process.”--Chris Brooks, Senior Director of Operations at GoNetspeed
“AI is migrating from a cost center to a profit center, and fiber is a critical aspect in that migration.”—Mario Castro, VP, Americas Cloud and AI Infrastructure, Cisco
“We are focused on fiber and building fiber, and we are putting it everywhere to every group of customers.”—Sarah Davis, VP of market development, Fidium
“If we can provide a data center as a service platform to researchers, whether they're big or small, and make it affordable so they can have discoveries in advanced technology, even in medicine, that's where we want to sit.”—Tracy Doaks, president and CEO, MCNC
“Quantum technologies rely on timing and synchronization in a big way, so we’ve got to figure out ways that we can integrate these technologies into fiber strands.--Ryan Harring, Director of Partnerships-Alliances, IonQ
Future edge environments, as “many universes,” will require a shift from centralized operations to highly decentralized systems.--Steven Rose, CEO, Render Networks
“To make AI happen, fiber is a core enabling technology that gets us there.”--Amy Wheelus, CTO, Gigapower
Connect the Unconnected
Chris Brooks was awarded the Connect the Unconnected Award, a collaboration between ISE and Corning, for his work expanding fiber broadband to rural and underserved communities.
Fiber Connect 2026 Daily Podcasts
In the first episode of the Fiber Connect 2026 show daily podcast, we're tracking key trends related to fiber broaband adoption, panels and new research on cable's migration to FTTH during the show.
In the second episode of the Fiber Connect 2026 show-daily podcast, we're tracking key trends throughout the show.
In the third and final episode of the Fiber Connect 2026 show-daily podcast, we're chronicling the last day and wrap-up of the Fiber Connect 2026 trade show.
Fiber Connect 2026 Hot Products
Lightwave celebrates new fiber and broadband products being showcased at Fiber Connect 2026.
AI and Quantum
The Fiber Connect 2026 show demonstrated that, while service providers continue to enhance their networks for consumers, fiber’s utility is becoming increasingly relevant to support AI and quantum computing.
The middle mile provider has partnered with Banyan Oak to help the research industry gain access to low-cost facilities and hardware.
Market Trends
FBA's latest analysis examines how MSOs can transition from hybrid fiber-coaxial networks to scalable FTTH infrastructure to meet growing bandwidth demand.
Standards Efforts
The Forum’s latest Wholesale Access project will define service requirements, best practices, and technical solutions needed to advance wholesale access in broadband networks.
In the second installment of Lightwave’s interview with the Broadband Forum’s CEO, Craig Thomas, we discussed how the industry standards group is developing new standards for consumer broadband QoE.
During this podcast we talk to key members of ATIS' new Open Access Network Forum (OANF).
ATIS is addressing the challenge of open-access fiber networks with its recent debut of the Open Access Network Forum (OANF), a group focused on leveraging real-world deployments and helping the market scale through common APIs and implementation guidance.
Industry Perspectives
While quantum networking will emerge as a new metro and middle-mile opportunity for service providers, it will be distinct from the late 1990s internet boom.
